Gudia Shaw, a 28-year-old resident of Raja Bazar, Kolkata, comes from a humble family facing financial instability and emotional strain. Living with her parents, younger brother, and sister, she grew up witnessing her father’s chronic mental illness and the challenges it brought to the household. With no regular source of income, Gudia felt a strong responsibility to support her family and create a stable future.
Her life took a positive turn when she came across the baseline survey of Impact360 Foundation’s Swabhiman Entrepreneurship Development Program. Recognizing a chance to change her situation, she immediately enrolled and was selected for the Entrepreneurship Development Training. Although she had earlier completed training in beauty and wellness, she lacked the resources and confidence to start her own business. The EDP equipped her with entrepreneurial knowledge, planning skills, and motivation to convert her passion into a livelihood.
With guidance from the program, Gudia drafted a clear business plan to start a home-based beauty parlour that would offer affordable services for women in her locality. She received a seed fund from the project, but realizing it wasn’t enough to establish a proper setup, she made a courageous decision—selling her gold earrings to arrange the additional money needed for essential equipment, furniture, and basic interiors to start up the business. This sacrifice reflected her commitment to building a better life.
Her determination started yielding results. Gudia launched her beauty parlour at home, and through quality service, affordability, and her warm demeanour, she quickly earned a goodwill in the neighbourhood. The parlour gradually became a preferred destination for regular grooming, festive makeovers, and wedding preparations. She now earns about ₹12,000 a month during lean periods and ₹18,000–₹20,000 per month during festive seasons. As her business grew, she also created an opportunity for another young woman from her neighbourhood, hiring her as a trainee cum assistant and helping her earn ₹3,000–₹4,000 per month—her first contribution toward empowering other women.
Through her consistent income, Gudia supported her family and eventually saved enough to arrange her own marriage independently, a milestone that brought immense pride to her loved ones. Her journey is a testament to how resilience, disciplined training, and timely support can turn hardship into a story of empowerment.
Gudia Shaw’s story is a powerful example of how courage, sacrifice, and structured endeavour can transform the life of a young woman burdened by economic hardship. With the right guidance from Impact360, Gudia was able to unlock her potential and create a sustainable livelihood—not only for herself but also for another woman in her community.
Her journey from zero income to a self-made entrepreneur earning up to ₹20,000 per month reflects the true essence of empowerment. Gudia stands today not just as a successful businesswoman, but as a beacon of hope for many other women looking to rise against all odds.